Page 61 of Shadowing Charlotte
"Of course, I can, Charlotte," he said, smirking as he watched me out of the corner of his eye.
"And you think I'm just going to go along with all of this?" I snapped. Adam laughed. Genuinely laughed, his head falling back and everything.
"You're adorable, baby. You're already going along with it, aren't you? Because you want to keep your father safe…" I didn't answer.
Fuck, he was right. I'd been so stupid to think there was any chance of talking some sense into him.
"Once I put a baby in you, you'll feel differently. Then, I'll be the only Daddy in your life. Right, Princess?" A baby? That wasn't going to happen. Ever.
I glared at him from the passenger seat, clenching my wallet between my hands. He wasn't allowed to call me that. Alexander called me that.
I didn't realize where we were going until we pulled into the parking lane. The fucking airport?
"Adam, where are we going?" I asked, tightening my hold on my wallet.
"The beach house," he replied.
Florida. Adam was taking me to Florida. Under normal circumstances, an impromptu flight to the beach would seem romantic, but this was anything but. Adam was forcing me to go somewhere no one would think to look for me, not for days, at least. And by then… I guessed Adam already had some kind of plan to make sure we weren't found.
"Adam, please… Think about this. My father; my job. Your job… You're going to go to prison if you take me."
"I'm not taking you, Charlotte, you're coming willingly. Aren't you?" he asked, his eyes cold as he turned to look at me. All I could think about was that picture he'd sent, of what he would do if I refused. I nodded silently, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "Oh, baby, don't cry. It will be fun," Adam crooned, rubbing my thigh. "In a few years, we'll come back and see your dad; introduce him to our child."
He was fucking insane if he thought I would ever let him put a child inside me. Then again, he was insane enough to think kidnapping me was a solution.
Adam parked the car on the roof of the garage, clamping his hand tightly aroundmine as he helped me from the car. "You don't think people will wonder why I'm in my pajamas?" I asked.
Adam shrugged, pulling his side bag from the trunk. "People travel in their pj's all the time."
"What if I get cold on the plane?" I countered, trying to think of any excuse not to go inside the airport with him.
"I'll get you a sweater,' he answered smoothly. "Come on, our plane leaves in less than an hour."
Less than an hour… Less than an hour, and I would be flying across the country. Flying way from Alexander…
Chapter fifty-two
Alexander
Irolled over in bed and reached for Charlie, finding her side of the mattress empty. Vaguely, I could recall her kissing me before she climbed out from beneath the covers.
"Hey, princess, can you make me a cup of coffee?" I called out. There was no response, in fact, the house was completely silent, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall in the hallway. "Charlie?"
Utter silence.
Rolling out of bed, I pulled on my sweats and wandered into the kitchen, rubbing my eyes. Charlotte's manuscript was still open on the counter, a cup of half-finished coffee sitting beside it. "Charlie?" I called out, glancing out the back window, wondering if she'd gone into the backyard.
I made my way into the living room, peeking out the window. The Jeep was gone. Dropping the curtain, I turned, spotting the paper sitting on the coffee table. A smile spread across my face as I read the note.I love you.
My sweet Charlotte. The kind of woman who leaves me little notes when she leaves the house. I hoped that meant she was feeling better after what Adam had put her through the day before. Returning to the bedroom, I picked up my phone and opened my texts.
Hey, princess. Where did you run off to?
After sending the message, I flicked open my notifications and found a voicemail from her. Grinning, I hit the speaker button, expecting to hear her sweet voice telling me she went to get us smoothies or breakfast. The smile immediately melted from my face.
"I don't have all day!" I recognized his voice immediately, despite only meeting him twice.What the fuck?
"I'm not going anywhere with you until you promise to leave my father alone and tell me where you're taking me. Why can't I bring the jeep?" Charlotte sounded on edge. Not just on edge. She was trying to sound brave, but I could hear the quiver in her voice.
